A Dose Ranging Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Aliskiren 150mg, 300mg, and 600mg to Placebo in Patients With High Blood Pressure.

An Eight-week, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, Multicenter Study Comparing Aliskiren 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg to Placebo in Patients With Essential Hypertension

Evaluate the blood pressure lowering effect of aliskiren 150mg, 300mg and 600mg compared to placebo in patients with essential hypertension

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients with essential hypertension
• Patients who are eligible and able to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Severe hypertension
• History or evidence of a secondary form of hypertension
• History of Hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident.

Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria may apply.